Firefighters rescue boy from chilly pond

BARNSTABLE — Firefighters were able to coax a scared 9-year-old from the chilly, deep waters of Hathaway's Pond on Saturday night by offering to let him pilot the rescue boat.

BARNSTABLE — Firefighters were able to coax a scared 9-year-old from the chilly, deep waters of Hathaway's Pond on Saturday night by offering to let him pilot the rescue boat.

Barnstable fire Lt. Ed Guilford said the boy, whom he believes is autistic, "needed a little bit of convincing."

At about 7 p.m., the child's parents called for help after the boy went deeper and deeper into the pond and wouldn't come out, Guilford said. The boy's mother said he had just started swimming lessons and did not yet have good aquatic skills.

By the time a fire department rescue crew reached the child, he was 30 to 40 feet from shore, in water over his head, hanging onto a downed tree, Guilford said.

"He was fine," Guilford said.

As promised, the firefighters let the child help drive the boat around the pond before delivering him to his relieved parents.

Today, the boy plans to visit the fire trucks at the Barnstable Fire Department. That was part of the deal, too, Guilford said.

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